That Bold Finian Boy

There’s something thrilling and a little disorientating when you meet a kid who seems to have their life together much more than you ever did.

Not back when you were there age, and, hey, especially not now.

That was what it felt like sitting down to talk to 12-year-old Delgany lad Finian Duff Lennon this afternoon. 

Holy, this kid is centred. And, by the looks of the rave reviews the young actor is getting for the current Laura Bowler-directed production of Happy Birthday Jacob, he’s also incredibly talented.

Check the lad’s CV, and he’s pretty much a veteran, popping up in everything from Les Misérables, Romeo & Juliet and Bugsy Malone on the stage to Elev8, Hubble and Ripper Street on TV. Throw in a whole bunch of shorts, commercials work and even feature films, and it’s hard to believe the little tyke only started acting professionally three years ago.

Personally, we’re convinced Finian isn’t the 12-year-old boy that he claims to be. He’s got to be a 40-year-old midget with at least 15 years at The Abbey.

Michael Mashall, the writer of Happy Birthday Jacob – currently running at The New Theatre on Essex Street, having been brought back after an acclaimed February debut – says of Jacob, “Apart from being a very talented young man, he has wisdom way beyond his years“. 

Which is true. Finian has the wisdom of a 40-year-old midget. With at least 15 years at The Abbey.

We reckoned we’d better head up to Delgany to try and uncover the real story…